Metallic pen



NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MATTHEW S. FIFE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

METALLIC PEN.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 6,278-, dated April 3, 1849.

To all whom may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW S. Fire, of the city of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Form of Metallic Pens, which invention is more particularly applicable in the construction of those now known by the name of Diamond-pointed gold pens.

The nature of iny invention consists in dividing the pen through nearly its entire length, with a slit, or a slit connected with a slot, or hole, for the purpose of facilitating the operation, in its manufacture, of closing the slit and adjusting the nibs. It also consists in so placing the slit that an Obliquity, or inclination, of the point toward the right is given to the pen without increasing its size, materially injuring its symmetry or otherwise rendering it less convenient to use than the common straight pen. And I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear and exact description of the construction of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification.

To enable others skilled in the art to use my invention I will describe the manner of its construction.

I cut my pen in the usual mode out of strips of gold or other metal, or alloy, of suitable thickness and width, giving it the form of Figure I. The slot A is then cut; if for an oblique pen the slot has an obliq uity toward the left, as at A, Fig. l. If for a straight pen the slot is in the center, as at A, Fig. 2. The proper curvature is then given to it, as in Fig. 3, 4, 5 and 6. The slit is then sawed, or cut, through the point of the pen in a straight line till it enters the slot, as in Fig. 3, or in straight pens nearly to the butt-end of the pen, as in Fig. 6. The edges of the metal forming the slit are ground straight and smooth so that when brought in contact they will form a perfect joint. At this period the slit stands open, as in Fig. 3. To close the slit I use a small hammer and an anvil that fits the inside of the pen. I cross the points, as in Fig. t, and apply a few blows at the place indicated by C, repeating the same till the points, on being returned to their proper position, will ret-ain it, as in Fig. 5. I now place the pen temporarily in a holder, grind the points to the proper forni, and finish the pen by polishing its outer surface. It is now ready to be fixed for use permanently in a holder, by soldering, cementing or riveting, in any of the usual modes.

I do not claim as my invention the obliquity of the pen. Many oblique pens have been contrived, but, generally, of such inconvenient forms that they have been but little used.

Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. The providing the pen with a slit, or opening, extending nearly through its entire length, substantially in thek manner and for the purpose herein described.

2. And in combination with such slit I claim forming an oblique pen substantially in the manner herein described.

MATTI-IEIV S. FIFE.

Witnesses:

J. B. RICHARDEL, ANDREW Fire. 

